| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding on crawfish near rock-sand transitions
- Fish are becoming more aggressive as water warms, using sharp drops and ledges as migration routes from deep winter areas to spawning flats
| - Sharp drops adjacent to flats with mixed rock, gravel, and sand bottom composition
- Rock piles and ledges near potential spawning areas
- Open pockets within weed beds, especially those on hard bottom areas
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom with frequent pauses
- Drop Shot with small profile baits for finicky fish
- Tubes dragged and hopped along rock-sand transitions
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish relating to warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Pre-spawn walleye staging near dam area and moving toward spawning zones, actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish transitioning from winter patterns, becoming more active with warming temperatures and increased daylight
| - Dam area and adjacent structure serving as pre-spawn staging zones
- Sharp drops and channel swings near potential spawning areas
- Rock piles in 15-25 foot depth range along migration routes
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom near staging areas
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows near sharp breaks
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') focusing on suspended fish
| - Shad schools concentrated in pre-spawn staging areas
- Yellow Perch in transitional areas
- Small baitfish gathering near warming shallows
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-62 | - Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter depths to staging areas near spawning flats, becoming increasingly active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are feeding heavily to build energy reserves for spawning, with aggressive feeding periods during stable weather
| - Secondary points and creek channels leading to spawning flats
- Shallow brush and reed areas in 4-8 foot depths adjacent to deeper water
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through transitional areas between deep water and spawning flats
- Bladed Jigs around emerging vegetation and brush
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly along staging points
| - Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn staging areas
- Bluegill beginning to become more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass are in spawning mode, actively defending nest sites near hard bottom areas and rocky structures
- Fish are making frequent moves between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning zones, especially around the dam and rock structures
| - Dam area with rocky substrate for spawning
- Rock piles and ledges in 6-12 foot depth range
- Wind-blown points and banks with hard bottom
| - Finesse Jigs worked slowly around beds and rocky structure
- Tubes dragged and hopped along rocky bottom
- Ned Rigs for pressured fish around spawning areas
| - Crawfish emerging from winter hibernation
- Small baitfish around spawning areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-55 | - Walleye are actively moving to and from spawning areas near the dam, with post-spawn fish staging in recovery zones
- Fish are following shad schools and utilizing current breaks and structure for feeding opportunities
| - Dam area with rocky substrate and current breaks
- Adjacent points and steep breaks near spawning areas
- Channel swings with rock piles near deeper water
| - Hard Jerkbaits - work slowly with long pauses near structure
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') - especially effective around bait schools
- Blade Baits - effective when worked through suspended fish
| - Shad - primary forage based on multiple fishing reports
- Yellow Perch - secondary forage evidenced by successful perch-colored baits
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Fish transitioning from pre-spawn staging areas to spawning flats, with males preparing and guarding nests while females move in and out of spawning areas
- Most active during warmer parts of day, particularly in shallow protected areas with stable temperatures
- Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, especially from male bass
| - Protected shallow flats with hard bottom near reed beds and brush, especially in coves
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Shallow areas adjacent to 6-8 foot weed bed edges where pre-spawn fish stage
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to visible beds and cover
- Soft Jerkbaits for pre-spawn fish and females staging near spawning areas
- Wacky Rigs for finesse presentations to bedding fish
- Spinnerbaits for covering water between spawning areas on windy days
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth bass are actively feeding and recovering, primarily targeting crawfish in the 6-16 foot depth range
- Fish are responding positively to wind conditions, using rock structure and ledges as primary feeding zones
| - Rock-laden areas and ledges in 12-16 foot depth range
- Dam structure in 6-12 foot range
- Stumps and hard bottom areas with nearby deeper water
| - Finesse Hair Jigs worked with a slow swimming retrieve
- Shakey Heads dragged along rocky structure
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked near structure
| - Crawfish - primary forage during post-spawn period
- Small baitfish transitioning to summer patterns
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-58 | - Post-spawn walleye recovering near spawning areas but beginning to transition to feeding patterns, particularly around the dam area
- Fish actively feeding on minnow schools during low light periods, showing increased activity levels as they replenish energy
| - Dam area with adjacent deep water access
- Sharp breaks and channel swings near spawning areas
- Rock piles and points with access to deeper water
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked with yo-yo retrieval
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows near structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around the dam area
| - Minnows
- Shad
- Young of year baitfish
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn bass are recovering and beginning to actively feed, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to nearby deeper structure
- Fish are establishing summer patterns, relating strongly to the abundant 6-8 foot weed beds and using flooded reeds as ambush points
| - Weed bed edges in 6-8 foot depths adjacent to spawning flats
- Secondary points with access to deeper water
- Flooded reed lines near deeper water access
| - Texas Rigs (Worming)
- Spinnerbaits
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6')
- Swim Jigs
| - Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas
- Shad schools moving into post-spawn areas
- Young of year baitfish becoming more abundant
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
